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Thursday, January 3, 2008

Advanced compressed air storage for renewable energy

RWE Power has joined forces with GE to develop an Advanced Adiabatic Compressed Air Energy Storage (AA-CAES) system with higher efficiency than current available solutions.

The intermittent nature of wind energy means that there is a need for the energy generated from wind turbines to be stored efficiently so that it can be recovered when needed.

And, according to Chris Bullough from Alstom Power Technology Centre in Leicester, whilst pumped hydro storage, batteries and fuel cells have some advantages, only compressed air energy storage (CAES) has the storage capacity of pumped hydro, but with lower cost and less geographic restrictions.

In a paper he presented at the 2004 European Wind Energy Conference, Bullough said that existing diabatic CAES plants lose heat energy from the cycle during compression, which must be re-generated before the compressed air is expanded in a modified gas turbine. Adiabatic CAES, on the other hand, uses a separate thermal energy store during the compression part of the cycle. During the generation part of the cycle the thermal energy store is used to reheat the air, which is then expanded through a sliding pressure air turbine.

This storage technology offers significant improvements in cycle efficiency and, as no fuel is used, it generates no CO2.

RWE Power and GE will initially conduct a joint feasibility study which will be completed by the end of 2008. Based on the findings of the study, a first demonstration plant is scheduled for 2012.

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We are on a mission to accelerate the transition to solar energy. We provide factual and highly useful information about how to use solar energy and create affordable, reliable, maintainable and user-friendly solar energy systems. We cover the whys and the hows in order to provide information that can be shared between end-users and installers. We also cover leading R&D and realistic, near term advancement in solar technology, energy efficiency and low-waste strategies.

Editor's Profile

I am on a mission to accelerate the transition to solar energy for the sake of future generations and life on earth.
I am focused on information, products and services that will advance the delivery of clean, renewable energy to the people of the world.
To better serve the world I continue to expand my knowledge in this critical area.
I am well-suited for managing the development and implementation of advanced renewable energy systems and leading edge products that are user friendly and durable. Having been engaged in this sector for nearly 30 years, I can call on a network of talented technical people throughout the world in order to create the highest quality products and integrated applications and to evaluate technological approaches to creating a world based on clean renewable solar, lunar and gravitic energy that are available world-wide.
In addition to being a self-trained solar engineer and specialist I have completed a Master of Business Administration degree with honors. I continue to be on a path of life-long learning in science, technology, business, economics, history, and innovation which I apply to the development of advanced market vision.